Kids fundraiser climbs to new heights

Challengers from across Niagara will once again lace up their sneakers to climb, crawl, jump and run through a 1K obstacle course that will surely bring mud, sweat and cheers. The Kids Ultimate Challenge, taking place on Sunday, June 7th at Burgoyne Woods, is a non-competitive obstacle experience filled with fun and surprises for children aged 4 to 13 that promotes healthy active play.

With 700 challengers signed up this year, participation has tripled since the inaugural event in 2013, as more and more children take to the woods for a unique experience while supporting a great cause. “It’s wonderful to see so many kids getting excited about our event,” says Kristina Manzi, OneFoundation Interim Director, Operations. “What’s even better is that many of these kids are becoming young philanthropists, raising significant funds for Niagara Health System’s youngest patients.”

To date, $38,800 has been raised for patient care equipment in the NHS Children’s Health Unit. This unit, featuring 24 beds, provides a full range of pediatric services to children up to age 18. Last year’s challengers helped raise funds for the purchase of a Stryker Incubator Transport Stretcher. The stretcher is used to move infants by ambulance from the Children’s Health Unit and Special Care Nursery to another hospital for specialized care when needed and is compatible with Niagara EMS’s newest loading system. Carol Munro, NHS Clinical Manager, says “Thanks to the purchase of this new stretcher, we can continue to transfer our babies to the hospital that they need to be at. I’m grateful to all the Kids Ultimate Challengers who helped to make this purchase possible!”

In addition to the obstacle course, challengers and their families will participate in the Niagara Inflatables Fun Zone, Penny Raffle and a BBQ Celebration Lunch. Our spectators and volunteers will be encouraging teamwork and community spirit throughout the day.

Although registration is full, those interested in sponsoring challengers are welcome to do so online at www.kidsultimatechallenge.com. Lunch tickets and Fun Zone bracelets can also be purchased for non-participants who would like to join the celebration.

OneFoundation for NHS (OFNHS) is a non-profit, fund-raising organization that supports the hospital sites of the Niagara Health System in securing innovative health care equipment and state-of-the-art technology in modern facilities. OneFoundation for Niagara Health System represents the next generation in fundraising for our hospital sites and those they serve. The Foundation was created on January 1, 2014 after an amalgamation between Douglas Memorial Hospital Foundation (Fort Erie), Greater Niagara General Hospital Foundation (Niagara Falls), Niagara Health System Foundation, Port Colborne Hospital Foundation, St. Catharines General Hospital Foundation and Welland Hospital Foundation. Since the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care does not fund the cost of new hospital equipment, OneFoundation for NHS seeks to raise the funds required for state-of-the-art monitoring and patient care tools from generous members of the community, donor foundations, service clubs, community organizations, businesses and individuals. In addition, a number of signature events are held each year to assist with fundraising goals and funds are also generated by a lottery program.